The glitz and glamour of South Africa’s fashion scene took center stage at the highly anticipated finale of Proudly SA’s Local Fashion Police competition, held last night at Levelthree in Kramerville, Johannesburg. The event marked the culmination of the 2023 Local Fashion Police consumer competition, a platform dedicated to championing South Africa’s labor-intensive local clothing, textiles, footwear, and leather (CTFL) industry.
The campaign, which aimed to celebrate and promote local talent within the fashion industry, succeeded in fostering a sense of community and supporting economic growth. The grand finale fashion show was the culmination of weeks of fierce competition, with participants vying for the coveted title. Through this initiative, Proudly South African aimed not only to celebrate and promote the vibrant local CTFL sector but also to generate employment opportunities crucial for boosting the local creative arts economy.
The star-studded event was attended by notable figures such as Sophie Ndaba, Thabo “TBose” Mokwele, Melanie Bala, and Tessa Twala, who reveled in the perfect blend of fashion and music. Kwaito sensation, Thebe, took guests on a nostalgic journey with timeless tunes like ‘Bula Boot & Groovers Prayer.’
Proudly SA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The Local Fashion Police 2023 has been an incredible journey, showcasing the diversity and creativity inherent in South Africa’s fashion landscape. We are proud to support our local designers and celebrate the winners who embody the spirit of our campaign. For Proudly SA, the competition is not only about bringing joy into consumers’ lives and supporting local fashion designers, but it’s also about ensuring that we keep the fashion industry sector alive so jobs can always be available.”
The competition, primarily driven by social media, garnered over 300 entries since its kickoff in August, showcasing the diverse and unique styles of participants who put their everyday wear to the test. The competition aimed to identify four standout contestants who demonstrated unwavering support for locally manufactured garments, with each winner receiving an impressive R20,000 worth of fashion personally crafted by the competition judges—renowned industry experts Palesa Mokubung, JJ Schoeman, Otsile ‘Otiz Seflo’ Sefolo, and Gert-Johan Coetzee.
The four deserving winners of the Local Fashion Police Finale are:
- Aseza Olwethu Tyantsi
- Tarryn Cilliers
- Ludina Ngywenya
- Cherné Africa
These winners not only received a unique fashion prize but also gained an exclusive opportunity to showcase their modeling skills on the runway dressed by their favorite Local Fashion Police judge.
While the competition may have concluded for this year, its impact on promoting and supporting local fashion continues to reverberate, highlighting Proudly SA’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the CTFL industry. The Local Fashion Police competition stands as a testament to the vibrant creativity and talent that South Africa has to offer in the world of fashion.